Friday, 05/06/05

Travel back in time as fest celebrates 20 years

Mingle with nobles and meet Queen Elizabeth I or wander the forest trails of Covington Glen while sampling the peasants' fares and listening to music. That's right, the annual Tennessee Renaissance Festival is back, running each weekend in May at Castle Gwynn in Triune.

The festival, which celebrates its 20th year, transports folks back in time to 16th-century England under the rule of Queen Elizabeth I, portrayed by professional seamstress and costume designer Kimberly Stockton, who, by the way, made her own costume as well as the costumes of two nobles.

Stockton, 30, got involved with the festival when she was still in high school and has participated, either as a performer, concession salesperson or costume maker, for about 13 years. This is her third year as Queen Elizabeth I.

''I made my first costume because of the Renaissance Festival. My mom taught me to do the basic sewing. They didn't have a pattern, so I made my own costume,'' said Stockton, who's been working on the piece for a solid month.

But there's more to the festival than royalty and gorgeous costumes. There's also fully armored competitive jousting, sword fighting, combat chess, live birds of prey, musicians, dancers, artisan demonstrations, storytelling, food and plenty of history to go around.

Mike Freeman, who along with wife Jackie owns Castle Gwynn, or Castell Gwynn (Welsh for ''white castle''), is happy to take folks on a tour of the castle from noon to 4 p.m. each day.

''Everyone that comes to my home I do welcome them and have a brief orientation about the castle,'' said Freeman, who has owned and continued renovations on the castle for 18 years.

During your trip back in time, don't forget, Lady Ettie awaits your presence for tea and crumpets. Word is, Ettie's crumpets are ''to die for.''

Getting there

The Tennessee Renaissance Festival, 2124 New Castle Road in Arrington-Triune, will be held 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 and Memorial Day (May 30), rain or shine. Tickets are $15, $6 for ages 6-12, $13 for ages 62 and up and military personnel with ID. Weekend passes (two-day weekends only) are $25 and $10 for ages 6-12; season passes are $50. Visa and Mastercard accepted. To get there, take Highway 96 to Triune and simply follow signs. See www. tnrenfest.com or call 395-9950.